Is It Time to Replace Your Geothermal Cooling System?

Geothermal systems are known as one of the most efficient ways to cool and heat homes. They are also known to last a very long time. Traditional air-source heat pumps are not able to provide much heating during the winter on their own. However, geothermal heat pumps are ground-source. This means that they use the steady temperature of the earth—which varies only a few degrees—to both heat your home in the winter and cool it in the summer.

Despite their durability and versatility, however, geothermal systems are just like any other type of HVAC system in that they will not last forever. The good news is that in most cases, you will only need to replace the heat pump itself, and not the underground coils. So don’t panic if you do find yourself needing a system replacement. It is a good idea, however, to be aware of the signs that it may be time for a replacement.

Heavy Corrosion

Take a look at your cooling system’s heat exchange coils. If you notice corroded coils, this is a sign of an aging system. The general rule of thumb is that if your geothermal system is over 20 years old and is showing significant corrosion, it’s likely time for a replacement. This is especially true since your heat pump is probably using an older refrigerant blend, R-22. This needs to be swapped for a system that used the more eco-friendly R-410A.

Consistent Drop in Cooling Levels

Let’s say that you aren’t getting the same cooling power as you used to from your geothermal system. First check to make sure nothing obvious is wrong, such as a thermostat setting or a power outage. If nothing else seems to be wrong, then there could be damage in the underground coils causing a leak in refrigerant. The best thing to do in this case is to have a professional inspect the entire system, but this may be a sign it’s time for a new geothermal heat pump.